Theo Robertson This was made in an era when just about every household had a television and Hollywood doesn't tolerate competition and needed to bring out its big guns . Those howitzers would be big name stars and epic storytelling . Unfortunately by this time this type of film would be dying out and a year later BONNIE AND CLYDE arrived on the scene which changed Hollywood film making with relatively unknown actors starring in smaller scale films that had a dubious morality to them so a film like CAST A GIANT SHADOW would have become relatively dated very quickly by the end of the decade On its own merits it isn't a bad film though it's certainly not a very good one either . The problem is that " Epic " is often a euphemism for " bloated " , therefore we get to see the main protagonists war experience and family life . Why do we have to see all this ? one can speculate that the war sequences is an excuse to shoehorn John Wayne in to the film that'll appeal to all the manly men in the audience and the family life of the protagonist will get women flocking in to the cinema . It also has the unnecessary addition of Frank Sinatra which like Wayne seems to be included to give box office appeal It's not just the lack of brevity that's the flaw but the sometimes embellishment to the story that doesn't do it any favours . Some other commentators have gone in to detail so I won't dwell to much upon it but one noticeable aspect is that the Israelis in 1948 are portrayed to being total strangers to war which isn't in any way true . The British Army had a Jewish brigade which served in Italy during the war and were engaged in some very tough fighting in 1944 . Likewise Palmach and Haganah members would have had military experience fighting against Arabs in the Special Night Squads during the Arab revolts of 1938-39 and wouldn't be the inexperienced military virgins as seen here . Sadly the film doesn't make the point that the Irgun and Stern Gang were the purveyors of modern day terrorism that EOKA , the Provisional IRA and many other terrorist organisations modelled themselves upon until Al Quada took terrorism to new depths , but if you've got a Hollywood movie and it contains Brits as an occupying power then it's easy to turn a blind eye , but to be fair it points out it's better to be occupied by the British than the French That said the Brits aren't full blown villains and the American view of Israelis is I imagine not as black and white as it would be today regardless of your politics . In 1948 the American State Department was very suspicious about Israel since many of its inhabitants were from Eastern European countries and Eastern European equalled communist in American eyes with Zionist support for the country confined to a small American Jewish lobby . The film does touch upon the fact that the fledgling Jewish state obtained its weapons from the international black market rather than being supplied by America with America realising that the Arab lands contain an awful lot of oil so best not to annoy them . It should be remembered that the first arms supply from America to Israel didn't happen till 1965 and the often overstated influence America has over the Israeli state wouldn't have existed when this film was released In summary CAST A GIANT SHADOW is a relatively entertaining yarn but it's a melodramatic Hollywood movie using big names to make money for the studio . If you're interested in finding out the proper history of the creation of Israel it's a much better idea to read a book on the subject with the only problem trying to find a totally unbiased book on the subject

wes-connors After service in World War II, assimilated Jewish-American lawyer Kirk Douglas (as David "Mickey" Marcus), is offered a dangerous assignment in Palestine. There, Allied victors and the United Nations are supporting the formation of Israel through partition. Arriving, Mr. Douglas finds himself on the ground floor of what will dominate the remainder of 20th century in ways they couldn't have imagined in 1966 - the Arab/Israeli conflict. Reluctantly, Douglas finds himself leading the charge… "Cast a Giant Shadow" is well-named. First, it begins with giant shadow-casting footage of three larger-than-life figures - Winston Churchill, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Joseph Stalin (at Yalta). Second, it features "special appearances" by giant shadow-casters who normally star in features - Frank Sinatra, Yul Brynner, and John Wayne (as the General). Third, you have sexy shadow-casting Senta Berger (as Magda Simon), who helps Douglas get over still smokin' wife Angie Dickinson (at home).This film is what you'd expect, considering the politics and time. Douglas is always a strength; his performance holds the film together through some tough times, and his varied selection of projects is appreciated. A couple of the big name supporting players, once you get over the initial distraction, present real characterizations. Director Melville Shavelson and cinematographer Aldo Tonti make attractive use of the locations. The real story is Douglas juggling Ms. Berger and Ms. Dickinson, not war.***** Cast a Giant Shadow (3/30/66) Melville Shavelson ~ Kirk Douglas, Senta Berger, Stathis Giallelis, John Wayne

Boba_Fett1138 This could had been a good and relevant movie to watch but instead the movie remains stuck somewhere between entertaining and poorly told.The movie is about the interesting story of about establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. It isn't the best known piece of history, mostly because it still was overshadowed by the aftermath of WW II, of which the establishment of the State of Israel was also a direct result. Yet it isn't a subject much handled in movies, compared to other subject from the same time period. But the story is mostly interesting and intriguing to learn about. Also to see how little has actually changed for the Israeli situation, even till this date. Too bad that this movie just can't really be regarded as one of the best sources about this subject.The movie is too poorly told for that. The movie make some mistakes by putting in some needless plot lines and characters, which make the movie drag and overlong at times. It also lets the movie start of too slow and it isn't exactly clear from the beginning on what the movie is going to be about and were it is heading to. It makes the movie feel like it's 3 hours long, though in reality it isn't. Judging by looking at this movie it seemed like they thought that they were making the new "Lawrence of Arabia" and the choose a same kind of approach with it's storytelling and character treatments. It however isn't halve as brilliant obviously. The movie also has a totally misplaced love (triangle) story, though that of course was the curse of about ever genre movie from the '50's and '60's.Basically all of the actors have Jewish roots. The obviously starred in the movie for personal and moralistic reason. I don't know but it just gives the movie a sort of misplaced and biased feeling of that what they were creating here was something totally important, relevant and brilliant. Not that there is anything wrong with the actual acting of course. Kirk Douglas always have been a great leading man and the supporting cast is one to die for. Angie Dickinson plays a bit of an ungrateful role but Yul Brynner and Topol show up in some good roles. Also no one less than John Wayne and Frank Sinatra make an appearance. All criticism about the story and storytelling aside, this movie still has some good redeeming qualities. The movie definitely gets better in its second halve when the poor formulaic drama makes place for what the story is truly about. It makes the story and drama become more solid and therefor also the movie to become more interesting to watch. The movie also features some good battle sequences, so the fans of 'old' war movies will also get pleased, though this all occurs pretty late into the movie.The movie is probably more 'entertaining' than educational and interesting but that's not really a bad thing of course. Nevertheless, the subject deserved a better treatment.7/10http://bobafett1138.blogspot.com/

Psalm 52 Not an epic, but certainly watchable. Douglas plays the part well. If I was Jewish I'd be proud of this film. The story (of their struggle to bring forth international support for a legitimately recognized nation) is presented straight-forwardly w/out propaganda and/or lecturing. The supporting cast is well-rounded w/ Brynner and Berger especially useful in moving the drama forward. Sinatra has an extended cameo and Wayne (for once) is watchable. The subplot about how Dickinson loses a baby and wants a divorce is unnecessary, but it does humanize Douglas' character although just his involvement in the cause for Israel makes him human enough. I didn't pay attention to the music score like some of the other reviewers have pointed out, but did enjoy the battle scenes (especially the assault on the Arab League's fort) and Douglas' scenes w/ Adler.